General: A weekend of finals in Taranaki sport

A massive weekend of community sport has seen many titles given out as several codes reached the climax of the season.

Finals were played across Taranaki’s premier two-day, tennis and rugby league competitions.

Marist claim the three peat in premier cricket

New Plymouth Marist has gone three from three in premier cricket after winning the two-day competition at Pukekura Park this afternoon. 

While the match at Pukekura Park was drawn, Marist claimed first innings points to win the T20 and 50-over formats. 

Played across three days, Marist won the toss on Friday and bowled first. Old Boys posted 193 in their first innings with Marist's Keegan Boon picking up 4/58. 

In response, Marist made 307 in their first innings, which was set up by Michael Blanks who scored 157 and Reeve Nelley (55). Old Boys’ Jordan Gard picked up 5-64.

In Old Boys' second innings they scored 305/8 delcared with Josh Borrell the top scorer with 141, which came off his 68 in the first innings. Marist trailed by 190 runs but were in the box seat because of their first innings. 

Late on Sunday afternoon, the rain came in and stopped play when Marist were 31/2 before hands were shaken. 

Full scorecard can be found here.

Tennis champions found

Rotokare’s form in the doubles helped the club claim their 12^th Soffe Cup title since records began in 1921.

The New Plymouth club beat Waiwaka 10-2 thanks to a dominate display in the doubles.  

Overall, Rotokare (pictured) won seven out of nine matches with games played across singles and doubles formats.

Rotokare won three from three in the doubles with Blair Crowley and Karen Cranston beating Nick Creery and Becca Smith 6-1, 6-2 in the most dominate match.

Cole Hareb and teammate Ollie Kerr had a tight tussle against Callum Old and Alex Osten but won 7-5, 6-4.

Rotokare won four of six singles matches, with Crowley beating Old 6-3, 6-3 in the most one-sided match.

Ollie Kerr’s match against Waiwaka’s Mark Laurence was the closest in the singles with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 scoreline.

The last time Rotokare won the Soffe Cup was in the season of 2022/23.  

Full scores can be found here.  

Bell Block secure league premiership

A brace to Enele Fidow and Mason Henry helped secure a Taranaki rugby league premiership title for Bell Block at Hickford Park on Saturday.

The tries the two players scored were four of six in the 36-16 win against Waitara.

Accurate kicking by Kyson Broughton saw him slot six goals in the performance.  

Waitara dotted down three times. Willi Kwan was able to slot two goals.

In other rugby league finals, Bell Block also won the U16 final 46-4 against Coastal.

Bell Block ran in eight tries with James Barnard-Perry scoring twice.

In the U14 final, Waitara beat Bell Block 40-22 at Clifton Park.

Waitara scored five tries to three in the match.

Waitara’s women’s team were forced to default their final against Patea due to the number of injuries.